Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards

An officer conducting a lawful bag search at an employee exit finds a coworker's personal medical records. What should the officer do with this information?

Answer: Keep it confidential and disclose only what is needed for the security purpose

Professionals must protect personal information they come across and limit disclosure to legitimate need-to-know.

Which practice best supports the ethical principle of objectivity in security investigations?

Answer: Documenting facts and following evidence regardless of who is involved

Objectivity means fact-based findings free from bias or pressure to reach a certain outcome.

A security supervisor uses the CCTV system to monitor an ex-partner who works in the building. This is primarily a violation of:

Answer: Appropriate use of security systems and personal privacy

Using security technology for personal reasons abuses authorized access and violates privacy.

Why is continuing professional education considered an ethical obligation for security practitioners?

Answer: It maintains competence as threats, technology, and standards change

Staying competent through ongoing learning is part of serving clients and employers diligently.

A contract security company bills a client for 24-hour coverage but regularly leaves a post unstaffed for two hours each night. This is best described as:

Answer: Fraudulent billing and a breach of contract

Billing for services not provided is dishonest and leaves the client exposed to risk it believes is covered.

When a security professional publicly criticizes a competitor's work, which ethical guideline applies?

Answer: They must not maliciously injure the professional reputation of colleagues or competitors

Ethics codes such as ASIS's prohibit maliciously damaging others' professional reputation, though honest, fact-based assessment is allowed.

An officer is offered free meals daily by a restaurant tenant in exchange for 'extra attention' to its storefront. What is the main ethical concern?

Answer: It creates favoritism and unequal protection of tenants

Gratuities in exchange for preferential treatment compromise impartial service to all clients.